Axially retained wide flexing angle homokinetic joint

Abstract

An axially retained homokinetic joint comprises an element in the form of a tripod (20) connected to one (22) of two shafts to be coupled and a tulip element (42) connected to the other (34, 134) of the two shafts, the tripod element comprising three trunnions (26a) on which are rotatively and slidably mounted rollers (36a) received in three rolling tracks (40) formed in the tulip element, and are an axial retainer (44) for maintaining the two parts of the joint in position relative to each other. The axial retainer comprises an intermediate member (44) connected to the tulip element (42) and cooperating with the tripod element (20) by means of a connection enabling the latter to move in a plane at right angle to its axis (X--X). The rolling tracks (40) consist of tracks of substantially toroidal shape in which run rollers whose outer surface is spherical.

We claim: 
     
       1. A homokinetic joint for coupling two shafts, comprising: a tripod element for connection to one of the shafts, said tripod element comprising three trunnions, rollers having substantially spherical outer surfaces and slidably mountable on respective said trunnions, and a central axis;   a tulip element connected to the other shaft, said tulip element comprising three substantially toroidally shaped rolling tracks for receiving said rollers therein so that said rollers can run in said tracks and axial branches defining a concave spherical surface; and   an axial retaining means for axially maintaining said tripod element and said tulip element in position relative to each other, said axial retaining means comprising an intermediate member, and said intermediate member having a convex spherical surface complementary to and cooperating with said concave spherical surface of said tulip element and a connection means for connection with said tripod element such that said tripod element is movable in a plane perpendicular to said central axis;   wherein said intermediate member haas a plane surface perpendicular to said central axis and legs extending axially from said plane surface between said trunnions of said tripod element, said tripod element has an opposite first contact zone confronting and cooperating with said plane surface and a second contact zone parallel to said first contact zone, said axial retaining means further comprises urging means, in contact with said tulip element, for urging said tripod element in a direction parallel to said axis to maintain contact between said first contact zone and said plane surface of said intermediate member, said urging means comprising a support member slidably mounted relative to and between said legs of said intermedate member for sliding movement parallel to said central axis, said support member having a plane face perpendicular to said central axis and cooperating with said second contact zone.   
     
     
       2. The homokinetic joint as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said substantially toroidally shaped rolling tracks of said tulip element have an overall geometric center coincident with the geometric center of said concave spherical surface of said tulip element.   
     
     
       3. The homokinetic joint as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said first contact zone of said first tripod element is a plane surface perpendicular to said central axis.   
     
     
       4. The homokinetic joint as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said second contact zone of said tripod element is a plane surface.   
     
     
       5. The homokinetic joint as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said support member comprises three legs extending from its plane face, between said trunnions of said tripod element, and cooperating with said legs of said intermediate member.   
     
     
       6. The homokinetic joint as set forth in claim 5, wherein: an inner radial face of each of said leg of said intermediate member has an axial guide groove therealong;   a outer surface of each of said legs of said support member has a radial projection thereon; and   said radial projections are slidingly received within said guide grooves.   
     
     
       7. The homokinetic joint as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said support member has a convex surface; and   said urging means further comprises a prestressing means bearing against said convex surface of said support member.   
     
     
       8. The homokinetic joint as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said prestressing means comprises a star shaped resilient spring fastener having a central portion and a plurality of branches extending therefrom, the ends of said branches connecting to said tulip element and said central portion prestressing said support member.   
     
     
       9. The homokinetic joint as set forth in claim 8, wherein said prestressing means further comprises: a pusher member interposed between said central portion of said resilient spring fastener and said support member, and having a concave surface complementary to and engaged with said convex surface of said support member.   
     
     
       10. The homokinetic joint as set forth in claim 9, wherein: said concave and said convex surfaces are spherical surfaces.   
     
     
       11. The homokinetic joint as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said prestressing means comprises a closure member having a central portion for prestressing said support member; and   said closure member is connected to said tulip element.   
     
     
       12. The homokinetic joint as set forth in claim 11, wherein: said closure member is welded to the free ends of said axial branches of said tulip element.   
     
     
       13. The homokinetic joint as set forth in claim 11, wherein: said closure member has a concave surface complementary to said convex surface of said support member.   
     
     
       14. The homokinetic joint as set forth in claim 13, wherein: said concave and said convex surfaces are spherical surfaces.